Anyone who paid attention to Sundance this year heard about the movie LATE NIGHT, a new comedy starring Mindy Kaling and Emma Thompson, with Kaling also writing and producing. The movie was bought by Amazon Studios and now they have released the first trailer for the movie about an up-and-coming comedy writer, Molly (Kaling), trying to help seasoned talk show host, Katherine Newbury (Thompson), rework her show amid fears she will lose her job. Do these two form an unlikely bond that perhaps stands the test of time? I guess you will have to wait and see.
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I’ve been eager to see footage for this one after everyone gushed about it earlier this year. The movie had so much buzz around it not only because word is it’s actually quite good, but because Amazon shelled out $13 million for the U.S. distribution rights to the movie – the largest sum ever paid for that sort of deal coming out of the festival. The studio paid a similar amount for THE BIG SICK back in 2017, which went on to earn a slew of awards attention, including an Oscar nomination. Only time will tell if LATE NIGHT will get the same kind of notice, but based on the trailer it looks like, at the very least, a clever, insightful comedy starring a winning duo.
Directed by Nisha Ganatra, the movie also stars Max Casella, Hugh Dancy, John Lithgow, Denis O’Hare, Reid Scott and Amy Ryan. Here’s the official synopsis:
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Katherine Newbury (Emma Thompson) is a pioneer and legendary host on the late-night talk-show circuit. When she’s accused of being a “woman who hates women,” she puts affirmative action on the to-do list, and—presto!—Molly (Mindy Kaling) is hired as the one woman in Katherine’s all-male writers’ room. But Molly might be too little too late, as the formidable Katherine also faces the reality of low ratings and a network that wants to replace her. Molly, wanting to prove she’s not simply a diversity hire who’s disrupting the comfort of the brotherhood, is determined to help Katherine by revitalizing her show and career—and possibly effect even bigger change at the same time.
Late Night takes on white privilege, entitlement, and a culture veering toward crassness and conservatism. Challenging the limitations placed on women in power, the film delivers a sophisticated comedy that champions a new order centering the strengths of women and diverse voices.
LATE NIGHT hits theaters June 7, and check out Chris Bumbray's review of the movie from Sundance HERE.